Main Entry: 1catch
Pronunciation: kach, kech
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): caught /kt/; catch·ing
Etymology: Middle English cacchen "to catch," from early French cacher "to hunt," derived from Latin captare "to chase," from capere "to take" --related to CAPTURE1 a: to capture or seize in flight or motion <catch butterflies> <catch a ball> b: 2TRAP 1a2 a: to discover unexpectedly <was caught in the act> b: to stop suddenly <caught himself before he gave away the secret>3: to take hold of : SNATCH4 a: to get entangled <catch a sleeve on a nail> b: to have the parts connect firmly <this lock will not catch> c: to attach, join, or fasten tightly5: to fall sick with <catch a cold>6: to take or get for a short time or quickly <catch a glimpse of a friend> <catch a little sleep>7 a: to catch up to <will have to hurry to catch the leaders> b: to get aboard in time <catch the bus>8: UNDERSTAND 1a <didn't catch what she said>9: to play baseball as a catcher - catch fire1: to begin to burn2: to become excited or exciting - catch one's breath: to pause or rest long enough to regain normal breathingsynonymsCATCH, CAPTURE, TRAP, SNARE mean to come to possess or control by seizing. CATCH suggests the taking of something that is moving, flying, or hiding <catch that dog>. CAPTURE suggests taking only after overcoming resistance or difficulty <finally captured the fort after many days>. TRAP and SNARE suggest the use of a device that catches by surprise and then holds the prey <trapped bears and other wild animals> <trying to snare fish with nets>.